Skarke appointed new TGSB director

Nov 18, 2004

Texas Grain Sorghum Board has appointed Troy Skarke of Claude, Texas, to serve as a director on the Check-Off Board. Skarke replaces Chris Cogburn of Dumas, Texas, who resigned from TGSB to pursue a degree in Agricultural Economics at Texas Tech University.

Skarke, a second-generation farmer, was raised on a diversified farm operation in Umbarger, Texas, that produced grain sorghum, wheat, sugar beets, and cattle. He is a graduate of Canyon High School and holds a Business degree from Clarendon College. Upon graduation he began farming and ranching in Armstrong and Randall counties.

“We look forward to having an individual of Troy's magnitude to serve on our board,” says Dale Artho, TGSB Chairman. “Troy has exhibited, through his farm and ranch operations coupled with his leadership abilities in various civic organizations, the ability to make sound decisions and the integrity to stand behind them,” Artho concludes.

Skarke has served on various boards and committees in his community including the Armstrong County Tax Appraisal Board, Armstrong County Crops Committee, St. Theresa Catholic Church, Claude ISD Board of Trustees, where he currently serves as the president and is past vice president of the Panhandle Area Association of School Boards.

“I look forward to serving on such an important statewide board, such as TGSB,” says Skarke. “Grain sorghum has always played an important role in my operation and I feel that in the future it will begin to play a larger role in other producers' operations. I see that sorghum has overcome some tough challenges, but still has some hurdles to cross, and I am excited to be a part of the growth process,” concludes Skarke.